Don’t Count Seahawks Out, Recent History is in Favor of Seattle Victory

Call it a hunch, maybe just blind hope, or a combination of both, but I think the Seahawks actually have a chance against New Orleans on Saturday.

I probably wouldn’t be saying the same thing if this was the New York Giants they were playing, but this is the most favorable match up Seattle could’ve hoped for despite the Saints being the defending champions.

Out of any team who has made the post season, besides the Chicago Bears, the Saints are the only other team Seattle really played straight up; keep in mind this was at New Orleans and that this next game is an away game for the Saints. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 366 yards and Mike Williams netted 100+ receiving yards in about 2.15 quarters of play, and who knows what would’ve happened if he didn’t exit with an injury. A bear hug by Raheem Brock on a third down play got called as roughing the passer and eventually led to a free touchdown at the end of the half the Saints would not have had otherwise. The score would have been much closer at 27-18 if that bogus penalty doesn’t get called.

In addition, recent history also is very against the Saints for this game.

The Seahawks have won their last three home playoff games.

The Saints have never won a road playoff game in franchise history.

Discounting the 2004 New England Patriots, no team in the last nine years has even won a playoff game following a Super Bowl victory. Ironically on the flipside the Seahawks are the only team in 10+ years who has made the playoffs following a Super Bowl loss.

Several key Saints are also banged up while Seattle is relatively healthy at the most important positions. Leading rusher Chris Ivory just got put on IR and Pierre Thomas’ health is anything but a sure thing. Safety Malcolm Jenkins is also questionable after being knocked out of last Sundays game and is questionable for Sundays game as well.

WR Marques Colston, TE Jimmy Graham, TE Jeremy Shockey, TE David Thomas, and DT Anthony Hargrove also did not play in last Sundays game.

Seattle did just put G Chester Pitts on IR (and No. 2 TE Chris Baker), besides Red Bryant, and Deon Butler who were put on IR in week five, and week 15 respectively, the Seahawks are going to trot out healthy starters everywhere else. Deon Butler is the most significant name, leading the team with 5 TD catches, but the offense has looked just as bad with him or without him.

I am not saying Seattle is a better team, but those statistics and the fact some key players like Colston, Shockey, Thomas, and Jenkins may not play is somewhat convincing evidence that you would be foolish to count the Seahawks out of this game.